Sleep Apnea, which is a period of restricted breathing during sleep, is rare in children but common in adults. When breathing is disturbed or disrupted while a person is sleeping, their sleep patterns are also disrupted, which leads to poor quality sleep, fatigue, and other health problems. Though Sleep Apnea can be diagnosed without it, a polysomnography – a sleep study, will provide your medical providers with the most accurate data.
There are three main types of Sleep Apnea:
1- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – is when the brain tells your muscles to take a breath, but the airway is blocked for some reason and you are unable to breathe properly. Obstructions can be in the nose or airway. OSA can cause high blood pressure and other heart related health problems if not treated. Obesity can cause or worsen existing OSA. OSA can be treated in a variety of ways depending on the cause of the obstruction and severity of the apnea episodes. Some forms of OSA can be treated and resolved with surgical intervention. If surgical treatment is not an option to solve your apnea, you may require a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), dental appliance, or medication.
2- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) – is when your brain does not tell your muscles to take a breath, therefore the muscles do not try to make you take a breath. CSA most often occurs in adults with heart disease and infants born prematurely. An apnea alarm monitor is often required for infants, which sounds loudly, waking both the infant and parents. Usually being awakened will allow the infant to resume breathing. Adults with CSA need to have the underlying condition treated in order to resolve the CSA.
3- Mixed Sleep Apnea – is a combination of both Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea. Treatment will require of combination based on your needs.